Tourniquet Holster

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related to a removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising: wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the wings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other to define a slot for receiving a strap attached to an article; side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel; and, a front panel removably attached to the side support wings to define a tourniquet compartment for receiving a tourniquet. The tourniquet allows for a single handed opening of the tourniquet to reveal the tourniquet compartment allowing one handed retrieval of a tourniquet form the tourniquet holster. The tourniquet can be attached in a manner so as to reduce the impact on the existing fasteners of the article for which tourniquet holster is attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to a tourniquet holster that can be removableattached to an article such as, but not by way of limitation, a vest,ballistic vest, load bearing gear, strap, carrier and the like.

2) Description of Related Art

When a victim is injured, blood loss can be a significant case of death.Therefore, the ability to stop the blood loss from an injury is criticalto survival for various injuries. Preventable death occurs when theinjured party does not receive medical treatment and more specifically,when the blood loss is not stopped in a timely fashion. One of theproven ways to stop blood loss is through the use of a tourniquet suchas shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,253. However, there is a need for asecured method of carrying such as tourniquet that can be used in atimely fashion. Further, there is a need for an apparatus to carry atourniquet that can be operated one-handed in the event that the injuryis sustained on one arm. Further, if the emergency occurs and theinjured person is alone, the individual must be able to apply thetourniquet to himself and in some cases one-handed.

Additionally, the method of wearing a tourniquet holster is importantsince the fact that the wearer has existing gear need to be taken intoaccount. For example, law enforcement routinely wears tactical vests orbody armor which does not readily lend itself to placement of atourniquet holster. For example, is using United State PatentApplication 2011/0120295 for reference, FIG. 7 illustrates that the loadbearing straps cover over the shoulder of the wearer and at attached toa front section by hook and loop fasteners. Typically, the load bearingstraps include the hook portion with the front section having loopportions. Lateral stabilizers (e.g. cummerbund) provide support bysurrounding the wearer generally at the mid-section or waist. Given theconfiguration of the tactical vest, placing a tourniquet holster on itcan be challenging.

There has been several attempt to provide tourniquet holsters such asUnited States Patent Application 2010/0200927 and U.S. Design patentD689,281. However, neither of these references provide for a tourniquetholster that is compatible with existing gear. For example, existingtourniquet holsters are not easily placed on the should straps oftactical vests or body armor not are they easily attached to thecummerbund of the vests or armor.

Additionally, the traditional tourniquet holsters have an open endallowing dirt and debris to more easily enter into the holderpotentially unnecessarily allowing foreign debris to contact or foul thetourniquet in the tourniquet compartment. Further, the tourniquet needsto be properly secured into the holder so that the tourniquet does notfall out of the holder during physical activity. For example, lawenforcement, first responders and military routinely engage in physicalactivity and

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for atourniquet holster removable attachable to articles that includeballistics vests, tactical vests and other load bearing gear for lawenforcement, first responders and military.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tourniquetholster with various configuration for attachment to various articles invarious manners and still allow one handed opening of the holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present inventionby providing a removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising:horizontal wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein thehorizontal wings can be folded inward and removably attached to eachother to define a vertical strap slot in a first configuration; verticalwings hingeably attached to the back panel where the vertical wings canbe folded inward and removably attached to each other to define acummerbund slot in a second configuration; a lower support strapattached to the back panel to support a tourniquet in a retentionarrangement; side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel; afront support panel attached to the lower support strap and removablyattached to the side support wings to define a tourniquet compartmentfor receiving a tourniquet; and, a pull tab attached to the front panelso that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel is released fromthe side support wings providing access to the tourniquet contained inthe tourniquet compartment.

A top cover can be attached to the back panel and removably attached tothe front panel for enclosing the tourniquet in the tourniquetcompartment in the retention arrangement. A set of horizontal straps canbe attached to a forward side of one of the horizontal wings so thatwhen the horizontal wings are folded inward, the horizontal straps arerearward facing. A vertical support strap can be secured to the set ofhorizontal straps for securing the tourniquet holster to anotherarticle.

The tourniquet holster can include a first portion of a hook and loopfastener attached to a rearward side of the horizontal wings so thatwhen the horizontal wings are extended, the tourniquet holster isremovable attached to an article having a second portion of a hook andloop fastener horizontally arranged on the article. The second portionof a hook and loop fastener can be attached to a forward side of thehorizontal wings. A hook and loop fastener can be attached to a rearwardside of the vertical wings so that when the vertical wings are extended,the tourniquet holster is removable attached to an article having asecond portion of a hook and loop fastener vertically arranged. A secondportion of a hook and loop fastener can be attached to a forward side ofthe vertical wings.

The top vertical wing can be removably attached to a shoulder tab of thearticle and a shoulder strap of the article; and, bottom vertical wingis removable attached to a panel of the article. The article can be aballistic vest, tactical vest, load bearing best, load bearing gear,gear carried by a user, gear worn by a user, body armor, harness,assault vest, assault panel, plate carrier and the like. A lateral strapof an article can be received in the cummerbund slot in the firstconfiguration.

The lower support strap can have a width less than that of the frontpanel.

The front panel can be is completely released from the side supportwings when the pull tab attached to the front panel is pulled to provideaccess to the tourniquet contained in the tourniquet compartment. Loweropenings can be defined by the front panel, side support wings and lowersupport strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter bedescribed, together with other features thereof. The invention will bemore readily understood from a reading of the following specificationand by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof,wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of aspects of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of aspects of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the invention in one application;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the invention in one application;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the invention in one application;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show perspective views of the invention at variousstages of use;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the invention in one application;and,

FIG. 10 is a rear view of aspects of the invention in one embodiment.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or moreaspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or moreother aspects can meet certain other objectives. Each objective may notapply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention.As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative withrespect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects andfeatures of the invention will become more fully apparent when thefollowing detailed description is read in conjunction with theaccompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood thatboth the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detaileddescription are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of theinvention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. Inparticular, while the invention is described herein with reference to anumber of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that thedescription is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed aslimiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications mayoccur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit and the scope of the invention, as described by the appendedclaims. Likewise, other objects, features, benefits and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent from this summary and certainembodiments described below, and will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages willbe apparent from the above in conjunction with the accompanyingexamples, data, figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawntherefrom, alone or with consideration of the references incorporatedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described inmore detail. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one ofordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subjectmatter belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice ortesting of the presently disclosed subject matter, representativemethods, devices, and materials are herein described.

Referring to FIG. 1, a tourniquet holster 10 is shown having a firsthorizontal wing 12 a and a second horizontal wing 12 b. The horizontalwings can be disposed to the left and right of a back panel 14 (FIG. 5).The horizontal wings can be folded at hinges 16 a and 16 b (FIG. 5) sothat vertical slot strap is formed. This first configuration allows astrap 18 (FIG. 10) to be received into the vertical strap slot.Therefore, the tourniquet holster can be secured to an article such as acarried for a vehicle seat or other article having a vertical strap. Thehorizontal wings can include releasable or removable fasteners such as ahook and loop fastener in one embodiment. In the embodiment with thehook and loop fastener, a first portion having either hooks or loops canbe attached to one side of the horizontal wing and a second portioneither a loop or hook, respectfully, can be attached to the other sideof the horizontal wing. When the horizontal wings are folded inward andonto each other, the hook and loop fasteners engage and secure the wingsin the first configuration to define the vertical strap slot.

A top vertical wing 20 a and bottom vertical wing 20 b can be hingeablyor foldably attached to the back panel. These vertical wings can befolded at hinges 22 a and 22 b so that they form or define a cummerbundslot 24 (FIG. 6). With the cummerbund slot defined, a cummerbund orlateral strap 26 or an article can be received in the cummerbund strapto secure the article. For example, a tactical vest, ballistic vest orbody armor can include lateral straps that wrap around the were andsecure the article to the wearer. These straps can be inserted throughthe cummerbund slot and secure the tourniquet holster to the articleallowing the wearer to carry a tourniquet hands free while also allowingeasy access to the tourniquet holster.

A top cover 28 can be attached to the back panel so that it covers thetop of the tourniquet when the tourniquet is placed in the tourniquetholster. This prevents dirt and other foreign debris from unnecessarilycontaminating the tourniquet as well as from unnecessarily entering thetourniquet compartment. In one embodiment, the free end 30 of the topcover can be attached to a front panel 32 securing the top cover in aclosed position. The free end can be releasable attached to the frontpanel in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the free end can bereleasable attached to the front panel using hook and loop fasteners.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the front panel 32 is shown in a closedconfiguration defining the tourniquet compartment for receiving atourniquet. The top cover 30 is in the closed position. A lower supportstrap 34 is attached to the back panel and the front cover so that inthe closed configuration, the lower support strap supports thetourniquet hindering the ability of the tourniquet from dropping out thebottom of the tourniquet compartment. A pull tab can be attached to thefront panel so that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel isreleased and moved into an open position providing access to thetourniquet compartment and therefore the tourniquet. The pull tab can beoperated one handed allowing the user to access the tourniquet even whenone of the arms of the user is injured.

Referring to FIG. 4, a side view of the invention is shown with thehorizontal wings removed. Side support wing 38 is attached to back panel14 and attached to front panel 32. In one embodiment, the side supportwing is removably attached to the front panel so that when pull tab 36is pulled in a direction shown generally as 42, the front panelseparates from the side support wing allowing access to the tourniquetcompartment shown generally as 44. In one embodiment, the side supportwing is removably attached to the front panel through hook and loopfasteners.

In one embodiment, lower opening 46 can be defined by the front panel,side support wing and lower support strap. A second opening and secondside support wing can be disposed on the other side (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 5, the tourniquet holster is shown in a firstconfiguration where the vertical wings are folded onto each other anddisposed between the back panel and the vertical strap slot. Thevertical wings are adjacent to the back panel. Strap 18 or an articlecan be received in the vertical strap slot defined by the verticalwings. The strap can be disposed between the horizontal sings and thevertical wings.

In the first configuration, the tourniquet holster is attached to thestrap is an article that can be used as an organization article for avehicle. The article is secured to the seat by straps and providesstorage for items such as clip boards, papers, writing instruments andthe like. Any number of items could be stored in the article. Thetourniquet holster in its first configuration can be position above theprincipal storage compartment of the article making it readilyaccessible and easily deployed one handed. The pull tab can be pulledforward and downwards exposing the tourniquet compartment while theremainder of the invention is secured to the article. Because thetourniquet is secured to the article, sufficient resistant exists toallow the front panel to separate from the side support wings.

Referring to FIG. 6, the tourniquet holster is shown in a secondconfiguration. The vertical wings are folded onto each other anddisposed between the back panel and the cummerbund slot and the verticalwings. The horizontal wings are adjacent to the back panel. When pulltab 36 is pulled in a direction shown generally as 42, the front panelseparates from the side support wing allowing access to the tourniquetcompartment. Because the tourniquet is secured to the cummerbund,sufficient resistant exists to allow the front panel to separate fromthe side support wings. The tourniquet can be positioned along thecummerbund strap or lateral straps of the vest, body armor, belt ofother horizontal support available to the wearer.

Referring to FIG. 7, article 50 is shown having a shoulder strap showngenerally as 52. The shoulder strap is typically present for tacticalvests, load bearing vests, safety vests, ballistic vests and body armor.In some versions of the strap, the strap itself include one portion of afastener 54 that is attached to a shoulder tab 56 and another portion ofa fastener attached to a shoulder strap 58. In one embodiment, theshoulder tab can include a first portion of a hook and loop fastener andthe shoulder strap can include a second portion of a hook and loopfastener such as a loop or hook portion, respectfully. In thisconfiguration, the vertical wing can include a second portion of afastener, such as hooks of a hook and loop fastener, attached to itsrearward side. The rearward side can then been secured to the shouldertab of the article. In one embodiment, the rearward side is removablyattached to the shoulder tab. In one embodiment, the rearward side isremovably attached to the shoulder tab by hook and loop fastener.

The respective second portion of a fastener can be attached to theforward side of the vertical tab. When the shoulder strap is loweredinto position, the fastener attached to the underside of the shoulderstrap engages the fasteners of the forward side of the top vertical wingand secure the shoulder strap to the vertical wing. In one embodiment,the shoulder strap is removably attached to the top vertical wing. Inone embodiment, the shoulder strap is removably attached to the topvertical wing with a hook and loop fastener.

When installed, the top vertical wing is disposed between the shouldertab and the shoulder strap. In the example that the shoulder tab and theshoulder strap are attached by hook and loop fastener, the top verticalwing has corresponding hooks or loops respectfully to the shoulder taband shoulder strap so that it can be disposed between the shoulder taband shoulder strap while also allowing the article to be worn using theshoulder tab and shoulder strap.

In some versions, the article includes cummerbund or lateral strap 26 tohelp secure the article to the wearer. The article can include a firstportion of fasteners 58 and corresponding fasteners on the underside ofthe cummerbund or lateral strap to secure the article to the wearer. Inone embodiment, the first portion fastener is either the hook or loopportion of the hook and loop fastener. The bottom vertical wing caninclude the corresponding fasteners so that the rearward side of thebottom vertical wing attached to a portion of the fasteners 58 and theforward side of the bottom vertical wing attached to the lateral strap.Therefore, the bottom vertical wing can be disposed between the lateralstrap and the article so that the tourniquet is supported by the articleand the lateral strap support the article when worn. The tourniquetholster in FIG. 5 is shown in a closed position so that the tourniquetis retained in the tourniquet compartment.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the tourniquet holster is shown being opened. Thefront panel has been pulled so that it is partially separated from theside support wings 38 a and 38 b. In one embodiment, the side supportsides wings have a first portion of a hook and loop fastener attached tothe free ends of the side support wings and a second portion of a hookand loop fastener is attached to the inner side 60 of the front panel.The side support winds can be hingeably attached to the back panel,extend forward, wrap around tourniquet A and be removably attached tothe front panel. When the front panel is pulled open, the side supportsings can move outwardly providing increased access to the tourniquet inthe tourniquet compartment.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the front panel is shown separated from the sidesupport wings 38 a and 38 b. The side support wings, no longer beingattached to the front panel, move laterally away from the tourniquet.The tourniquet can be easily removed and put in operation, even onehanded.

Referring to FIG. 9, the tourniquet is shown arranged generally on thefront of article 62. In this configuration, the vertical wings arefolded onto each other and disposed between the back panel and thearticle. The horizontal wings are extended laterally from the back paneland include a portion of a fastener attached to the rearward side of thehorizontal winds that corresponds to a fastener attached to the article.For example, the article can include the loop portion 58 a of a hook andloop fastener and the rearward side of the horizontal wings can includethe hook portion of the hook and loop fastener. In one embodiment, therespective portions of the hook and loop fastener can be reversed. Inone embodiment, the forward side of the horizontal wing can include aportion of fastener that matches the fastener on the article. In thiscase, the area of the fastener on the article taken up by the horizontalwings can be reduced. For example, if the article include the loopportion, the forward side of the horizontal wings can include a loopportion. This allows articles to be attached to the horizontal wings asif they were being attached to the article.

Referring to FIG. 10, the rear of the invention is shown. Horizontalstraps 64 a through 64 d can be attached to the forward side of one ofthe horizontal wings. When the horizontal wing is folded onto the otherhorizontal wing, the horizontal straps are disposed rearward and allowthe tourniquet holster to be attached to another article such as usingthe MOLLE system. The vertical wings can be folded onto each other anddisposed between the back panel and the horizontal wings.

Horizontal straps can be attached to the forward side of one of thevertical wings. When the vertical wing is folded onto the other verticalwing, the horizontal straps are disposed rearward and allow thetourniquet holster to be attached to another article such as using theModular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system or PouchAttachment Ladder System (PALS), for example. The horizontal wings canbe folded onto each other and disposed between the back panel and thevertical wings. The horizontal straps are attached to the top verticalwing in one embodiment.

A vertical securing member 66 n be received on one or more of thehorizontal straps and used to attach the tourniquet holster to otherarticles. The vertical securing member can include a fastener 68 thatprevents the vertical securing member form being removed from the one ormore horizontal straps while the fastener is secured.

In one embodiment, the vertical wings are present and the horizontalwings are not present. In one embodiment, the horizontal wings arepresent and the vertical are not present.

Unless specifically stated, terms and phrases used in this document, andvariations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should beconstrued as open ended as opposed to limiting. Likewise, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiringthat each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, butrather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise.Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should notbe read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rathershould also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise.

Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosuremay be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplatedto be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular isexplicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as“one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases insome instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case isintended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may beabsent.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, it willbe appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining anunderstanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, thescope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by wayof limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion ofsuch modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subjectmatter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artusing the teachings disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removably attachable tourniquet holstercomprising: horizontal wings hingeably attached to a back panel whereinthe horizontal wings can be folded inward and removably attached to eachother to define a vertical strap slot in a first configuration; verticalwings hingeably attached to the back panel where the vertical wings canbe folded inward and removably attached to each other to define acummerbund slot in a second configuration; a lower support strapattached to the back panel to support a tourniquet in a retentionarrangement; side support wings hingeably attached to the back panel; afront support panel attached to the lower support strap and removablyattached to the side support wings to define a tourniquet compartmentfor receiving a tourniquet; and, a pull tab attached to the front panelso that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel is released fromthe side support wings providing access to the tourniquet contained inthe tourniquet compartment.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a topcover attached to the back panel and removably attached to the frontpanel for enclosing the tourniquet in the tourniquet compartment in theretention arrangement.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a set ofhorizontal straps attached to a forward side of one of the horizontalwings so that when the horizontal wings are folded inward, thehorizontal straps are rearward facing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3including a vertical support strap secured to the set of horizontalstraps for securing the tourniquet holster to another article.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 including a first portion of a hook and loopfastener attached to a rearward side of the horizontal wings so thatwhen the horizontal wings are extended, the tourniquet holster isremovable attached to an article having a second portion of a hook andloop fastener horizontally arranged on the article.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 including a second portion of a hook and loop fastener attachedto a forward side of the horizontal wings.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1including a first portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to arearward side of the vertical wings so that when the vertical wings areextended, the tourniquet holster is removable attached to an articlehaving a second portion of a hook and loop fastener vertically arranged.8. The apparatus of claim 7 including a second portion of a hook andloop fastener attached to a forward side of the vertical wings.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein: a top vertical wing is removably attachedto a shoulder tab of the article and a shoulder strap of the article;and, a bottom vertical wing is removable attached to a panel of thearticle.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the article is a ballisticvest.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a lateral strap of an articleis received in the cummerbund slot in the first configuration.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the width of the lower support strap isless than the width of the front panel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the front panel is completely released from the side supportwings when the pull tab attached to the front panel is pulled to provideaccess to the tourniquet contained in the tourniquet compartment.
 14. Aremovably attachable tourniquet holster comprising: wings hingeablyattached to a back panel wherein the wings can be folded inward andremovably attached to each other to define a slot for receiving a strapattached to an article; side support wings hingeably attached to theback panel; and, a front panel removably attached to the side supportwings to define a tourniquet compartment for receiving a tourniquet. 15.The apparatus of claim 14 including a pull tab attached to the frontpanel so that when the pull tab is pulled, the front panel is releasedfrom the side support wings providing access to the tourniquet containedin the tourniquet compartment.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 including alower support strap attached to the back panel to support a tourniquetin a retention arrangement.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 includinglower openings defined by the front panel, side support wings and lowersupport strap.
 18. A removably attachable tourniquet holster comprising:a tourniquet compartment having a back panel, side support wingshingeably attached to the back panel and a front panel removablyattached to the side support wings for receiving a tourniquet; and,wings hingeably attached to a back panel wherein the wings can be foldedinward and removably attached to each other to define a slot forreceiving a strap attached to an article.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18wherein the wings include horizontal wings hingeably attached to a backpanel wherein the horizontal wings can be folded inward and removablyattached to each other to define a vertical strap slot in a firstconfiguration.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the winds includevertical wings hingeably attached to the back panel where the verticalwings can be folded inward and removably attached to each other todefine a cummerbund slot in a second configuration.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 18 including a pull tab attached to the front panel so that whenthe pull tab is pulled, the front panel is released from the sidesupport wings providing access to the tourniquet contained in thetourniquet compartment.
 22. The apparatus of claim 18 including a lowersupport strap attached to the back panel to support a tourniquet in aretention arrangement.